What are the best British independent films of the year?

You don’t need a huge budget to tell a good story. Film critic Stefan Pape talks us through this year’s BIFA nominated films and which ones you can see on the big screen at Vue.

The term “passion project” has become something of a cliché, but I think it’s the best way to sum up all the work that goes into making an independent movie. I’ve been fortunate enough to have been invited to the BIFAs (British Independent Film Awards) every year, and whenever the nominations are announced, one of the biggest surprises for me is the fact that you can’t always tell when a film has been made outside of the major film studios.

This year’s awards take place on 4th December and there are 32 British films nominated, including I, Daniel Blake, American Honey, Couple in a Hole, Notes on Blindness and Under the Shadow, which are all in the running for Best Film. Most of these have already been released, but that's not to say you’ve missed your chance to catch them on the big screen. Vue's partnership with ourscreen, an on-demand cinema platform, allows fans to create and attend screenings of their choosing, and certain Vues across the UK will be showing the winning BIFA film – you can get your ticket here.

I, Daniel Blake leads the way with seven BIFA nominations.

Cinema, at its core, is about the art of storytelling. That’s what we respond to and emotionally engage with most – and you don't need a huge budget to tell a good story.

One film you’d be crazy to miss is Ken Loach's Palme d'Or winner I, Daniel Blake, which leads the way with seven nominations. Kitchen sink realist Loach and his regular collaborator and writer Paul Laverty have created an uncompromising drama that shines a harsh light on the nation's welfare system. It’s a compelling watch – independent films deserve to be seen on a large screen as much as big budget blockbusters – as the eponymous protagonist, played with a stunning conviction by Dave Johns, befriends a single mother (Hayley Squires) to try and make ends meet.

Stars such as Shia LaBeouf (American Honey) and Michael Fassbender (Trespass Against Us) are up for Best Actor. LaBeouf’s co-star Sasha Lane is up for Best Actress, but she'll be hard-pressed to beat the remarkable Kate Dickie (Couple in a Hole) or Jodie Whittaker, who turns in a magnetic display in profound comedy Adult Life Skills.

Terry Pheto has been nominated for Best Supporting Actress for her role in A United Kingdom.

The calibre of performances on offer just goes to show that there is so much more to the industry than Hollywood. Cinema, at its core, is about the art of storytelling. That’s what we respond to and emotionally engage with most – and you don't need a huge budget to tell a good story.